2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Good Grief
Private Advisor Group
LPL Financial
When Pat Sullivan joined the Board of a new nonprofit in his community as Treasurer in 2004, he had little idea how transformative his service with Good Grief would be for him and his family. Good Grief provides free programs to children and families after the death of a mom, dad, sister or brother; educates schools and professionals about loss; and advocates for grieving families locally and throughout the country. The organization currently has two locations in New Jersey, 24 staff members, 264 volunteers and 812 participants. Patrick contributed to this tremendous growth over the past 14 years in incalculable ways, from growing the organization’s budget from $200,000 in 2007 to more than $3 million in 2017 and continuing to expand services to reach more children in need of grief counseling.
Initially, Pat was drawn to the organization’s mission because he suffered the loss of his own mother at an early age and did not have resources available to help him cope with such a tremendous loss. Over time, though, Pat’s appreciation for the work deepened as he realized that Good Grief changes lives by providing grieving families with hope and comfort in their darkest hours. Families are able to access such services — often for free — thanks to the tireless work Pat has committed over the past years.